Common Sense - is it common?

All pictures courtesy of Unsplash

Have you ever noticed today that ‘common sense’ isn't too common? Many people just do not realise that ‘common sense’ is the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions. It is sound, prudent judgment based on simple perception of the facts or situations. Today we can buy a diploma and a great education - but all wisdom begins with God. Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10 tells us that ‘the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.’

Do you remember when cereal boxes had a prize in the bottom of the package? Most mothers would make their children wait until they got to the bottom to get the prize. I didn't want to wait, I would sneak into the pantry and dig to the bottom of the package to get out the prize. My mother would get cross with me and smack my hand. From then on I was not allowed to dig through the food to get the prize. I would have to eat the cereal and when I got to the bottom receive the prize. Proverbs chapter 16 verse 16 tells us, ‘How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.’

A young man had been laying around doing nothing, when an old man came up to him with a strong and very fast horse which was all saddled up and ready to go. The horse was equipped with some very large bags to carry their loads. The old man gave orders to the young man - ‘Ride as fast and as hard as you can and you will find a huge flowing river. When you get to the river dismount and pick up the rocks and place them in the very large bags, but remember you have to be back here before the sun rises.’ So the young man rode the horse and, just as the old man had told him, he came to the river. In the darkness, he jumped down off the horse and grabbed two hands full of the rocks and placed one handful in each of the bags. Then he jumped back on the horse and rode back. The sun was coming up and it was a beautiful day. The old man was waiting on the porch as the young man rode up. The old man said: ‘Did you do as I told you?’  The young man said: ‘Yes, Sir! I found the river, I picked up two hands full of the small rocks and placed them in the very large saddle bags. I have returned and was here before the sun came up.’

In the brightness of the sun the young man was told to empty one of the large saddle bags. Out fell a handful of diamonds, pearls, rubies, jasper and very expensive, rare jewels. The young man could not tell what he was picking up in the darkness of the night. He thought he was picking up common rocks? So why waste his time and effort on junk? The old man looked up at the young man, with tears flowing like a river. The young man had wasted his time, talent and ability - the potential was so great. The young man settled for very little when he could have had millions of pounds of rare jewels.  

We are like that young man. We have rare treasures all around us. We put so little effort into daily life! We tend to be satisfied with two hands full, when God’s plan has so much more in store. Life is valuable and wisdom and understanding are not easily found. Yes, we need to be content, yet we are never satisfied with our lot in life. God has more! If God has more, do we desire more?

Matthew chapter 6 tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Isaiah chapter 55 commands us to seek the LORD while He may be found and to call upon Him while He is near, while Romans chapter 10 confirms to us that ‘whoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved’. Now that’s wisdom - isn't it?

Messages with Meaning (17/09/20)